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Medical Author:

Rahul K. Shah, MD, FAAP, FACS

Rahul K. Shah, MD, FAAP, FACS

Dr. Shah obtained his BA/MD from Boston University and completed his Otolaryngology residency at Tufts University followed by a fellowship in Pediatric Otolaryngology at Children's Hospital Boston at Harvard University. After fellowship, he joined the faculty of Children's National Medical Center in 2006. Dr. Shah is an active clinical researcher and has received numerous awards for his research.

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Medical Editor:

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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In this Article

• Deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) and turbinectomy facts
• Deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) and turbinectomy (nasal airway surgery instructions): Note from the doctor
• What is deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy?
• Pictures of the anatomy of the sinuses and turbinates
• What are risks and complications of deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy?
• What happens before deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy?
• What happens the day of deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy?
• What happens during deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy?
• What happens after deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy?
• General instructions and follow-up care for deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy
• When to call the doctor for deviated septum surgery (septoplasty) or turbinectomy
• Find a local Ear, Nose, & Throat Doctor in your town
• Nasal Airway Surgery Index

When to call the doctor after septoplasty or turbinectomy

Patients should notify the doctor if they have:

1. A sudden increase in the amount of bleeding from the nose unrelieved by pressure, ice, and head elevation.
2. A fever greater than 101.5 F (38.6 C) that persists despite increasing the amount of fluid and acetaminophen (Tylenol). A person with a fever should try to drink approximately one cup of fluid each waking hour.
3. Persistent sharp pain or headache which is not relieved by the pain medication prescribed.
4. Increased swelling or redness of the nose or eyes.

Most surgeons want to know about complications or problems that develop with their patients; do not be hesitant to call the surgeon to inform them and ask questions about any problems he or she is experiencing.

REFERENCES:

Ketcham AS, Han JK. Complications and management of septoplasty. OtolaryngolClin North Am. 2010 Aug;43(4):897-904.

MedscapeReference.com. Septoplasty.